Warning: This is not for the faint of heart.
A contribution to the photo site Imgur was brought to our attention today, and we would like to express our concern for the stuffed animals involved. The photo essay documents the dismembering of two SAs as a man unwraps a gift from a Secret Santa.
It begins with the heartwarming unboxing of a stuffed shark but quickly spirals into a disturbing documentation of SA dissection and dismemberment. We watch as the recipient methodically extracts one SA (a stuffed alligator) from the inside of another (a stuffed shark) and then proceeds to remove a few gifted pens from the stuffing of yet another SA (a stuffed rat). The series of photos ends with three split-seamed SA ‘carcasses‘ disemboweled in a pile on a table.
Despite our initial horror, we are NOT formally accusing either the Secret Santa or the recipient of any wrong-doing. It is very possible the SAs were consenting participants. They might have even been involved in the actual planning and staging of the photographs. The SA injuries appear to only be seam wounds (despite references to critical injuries), and it is quite possible they were immediately restuffed and repaired and are now comfortably enjoying the company of their new owner.
However, because the author did not allude to any of these details in his notes, we believe there is cause for concern- or at least a need for clarification. The SAs may have been forced into gift mule-ship, and they may remain unrepaired… or worse, they might have simply been discarded.
We are particularly concerned that the stuffed alligator (we’ve been referring to him as Jonah) and stuffed rat could be suffering from Post Traumatic Stuffing Disorder and may require assistance from qualified mental health professionals.
There are also potential legal concerns. Depending on his or her location, the Secret Santa may have violated state labor laws by using stuffed aquatic animals for the job rather than hiring trained, unionized stuffed mules (many of whom are unemployed and are struggling this holiday season).
This is why we are reaching out to the humans and the SAs involved. We would like to offer our assistance to the gift recipient. We ask that he contact us if he needs help repairing the SAs, or if he is unable to care for them at this time. We are offering our services free of charge, no questions asked.
If you have any information regarding the conditions or whereabouts of these SAs, please contact us at adoptions@thesarf.org.
